SINGAPORE & THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA SECTION
INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS OF MALAYA BUILDING INSPECTORATE EXAMINATIONS
The examinations by the Institute of Architects of Malaya for draughtsmen and tracers set a very high standard indeed, and we have already outlined in previous issues the extent of knowledge and skill required by the examinees in order to obtain the necessary passing marks.
It is not generally known that the Institute have in- augurated a Building Inspectorate Examination in order to encourage the improvement of the standard of qualification of building overseers, inspectors and clerks-of-works. Only the First Building Inspectorate Examination (Intermediate "A") is included, as this will be the only Inspectorate Examination available this year on the inauguration of this series of ex- aminations which must be taken in sequence at not less than yearly intervals.
Summary of the details of the examination is as follows:-
The object of the I.A.M. Proficiency Examinations over the past ten years has been straight-forward tests of ability for Architectural Draughtsmen on the normal work for which they have been trained in an Architect's office.
The senior draughtsmanship examinations have required a real knowledge of building construction and all the examina- tions have been maintained at a very high 'pass' level, but for various reasons the Board of Examiners have decided to widen the scope of these examinations and also to change their order and designation.
In addition to this re-ordering and re-designation the Board have decided as previously indicated to widen the scope of these examinations in two ways, viz.:-
(i) a widened syllabus for architectural draughtsman; (ii) a series of examinations for Building Overseer,
Inspector and Clerk-of-Works candidates. Regarding (ii) Building Overseer, Inspector and Clerk- of-Works candidates, this is a new departure for the I.A.M., but in the Board's considered opinion, a very necessary one. In the new salary scales of the Singapore Government, Singapore Municipality and Singapore Improvement Trust, the Building Overseers and Inspectors are linked to the existing I.A.M. Examinations and quite clearly the very high standard of draughtsman considered essential in these examinations places a candidate at a very serious disadvantage if he is not engaged consistently on the drawing board, Efficient examination of building works in progress is as vital a part of an architect's duties as the preliminary office work and under the Singapore Municipal By-laws he is required to certify on completion of each one of his buildings that he has supervised its construction and that it is in accordance with the plans and specifications. It is essential therefore that the Overseer, Inspector or Clerk-of-Works looking after the Architect's day-to-day interests on the construction job or concerned in the serutiny of deposited plans etc. should be adequately qualified and the Institute have decided, there- fore, to establish a graded system of examinations to cover this sphere of building activities. It is proposed to set three examinations linked with the Intermediate 'A', Intermediate 'B' and Final Draughtsman examinations. Certain subjects will be common both to the Draughtsman and Building Inspector examinations, but whereas the main subject in the draughtsman examinations will be the design, draughting sub- ject the Building Inspector candidate will be required to take papers in site mixes, site organisation, site tests and the like and to appear personally before the Board of Examiners for an oral examination.
In the Singapore Municipality where the building inspectorate are recruited through the drawing office, the candidate has to pass his two Preliminary I.A.M. examina- tions before he is selected to the building inspectorate. It is considered by the Board that such a preliminary knowledge of draughtsmanship is a distinct advantage in the future work of the building inspector and to encourage the general candidate to take these preliminary examinations 5 marks will be added to those gained in the Intermediate 'A' (Building Inspectorate) examination for each of the pre- liminary examinations passed by the candidate (i.e. if he has taken both preliminary examinations he gets 10 marks towards the 60 required for a PASS. These bonus marks however, do not count towards grant of MENTION or DISTINCTION. Intermediate "A" (Building Inspectorate) 3 days
FIRST DAY
Two papers on Building Construction (3 hours) which will require considerable illustration by annotated sketches.
Typical questions will be:
(i) state varying soil characteristics in your district and sketch typical foundations for such soil conditions.
(ii) Bakau piling-state why used and give typical loadings and sketch of layout of piles in foundations. (iii) damp proof courses-why used and sketch typical
position in relation to ground and floor.
(iv) ground floors-state advantages and disadvantages of solid and hollow (wood) floors and give typical sketches.
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(v) give typical sketches of door and window jambs to
a small bungalow-give joinery sizes.
(vi)
what flashing would you use to valley gutters or a tile roof-sketch detail.
(vii) what precautions would you take in connection with flues and adjoining structural timbers. One paper on Specification of Materials (2) hours). The questions set out in Paper No. 1 for Intermediate "A" (Draughtsman) will also apply to this paper.
SECOND DAY
Two papers on qualities of materials (3) hours) of which the following questions will be typical:
(i) state qualities of good concrete what size aggre- gate would you use for plain concrete în founda- tions; R.C. beams.
(ii) What are the requirements of sand for:-
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R. C. concrete. Plasterwork.
how would you test sand on site for cleanliness. (iv) what are characteristics of aggregate for reinforced
concrete,
(v)
what are qualities of a good brick-how would you test these.
(vi)
how would you ensure accurate measurements of materials in a concrete mix.
(vii)
what steps would you take to ensure good brick- work.
(viii)
what defects would cause you to reject:-
Kapor timber
Chenghal timber
(ix) what are the characteristics of a good Marseilles pattern roofing tile-how would you check on their weathertightness when laid.
(x) what would cause you to reject:-
Sand
Cement
Steel reinforcing bars
Bakau Piles.
One paper on site organisation (2 hours). Typical ques- tions would be:-
(i) Block plan shows a site plan of a small house. Indicate layout of sites you would agree with the Contractor for his:-
Workmen's living bangsal
Workmen's latrines
Timber workshop
Cement mixer and platform
(ii) How would you require the Contractor to:-
Store his cement
stack his floor boards.
(iii) How would you require the Contractor to set out
the building.
(iv) If a bricklayer is carrying out his work in an unsatisfactory manner-how would you set about correcting this state of affairs.
(v)
What should you note about bricks being actually used in bricklaying.
(vi)
The Architect has not been on the site for a week and asks for a brief report on progress. Write such a report.
(vii) What steps would you take to avoid air pockets or
voids in reinforced concrete beams.
(viii) Would you allow rusty reinforcing bars for use
in reinforced concrete. (ix) How would you test concrete for consistency or
stiffness.
THIRD DAY
Two papers on the Bylaws of the Singapore Municipality (3 hours). Finally there will be an oral examination (2) hours) consisting of interviews by Members of the Board of Examiners or their appointees, who may ask questions on the papers set or any other matters to test the candidate's alertness, general ability and observation and suitability for control of building operations on the site.
Marks will be allotted as follows:-
FIRST DAY
Paper No. 1 on Building Construction Paper No. 2 on Building Construction Paper on Specification of Materials
SECOND DAY
SRK
Marks
20
20
25
Paper No. 1 on qualities of materials Paper No. 2 on qualities of materials Paper on site organisation
20
20
25
THIRD DAY
Paper No. 1 on Bylaws
|
Paper No. 2 on Bylaws
Interview and oral
TOTAL
223
288
20
20
30
200